An autopsy has revealed the cause of death of British woman Sonia Exelby, whose body was found in a shallow grave in Florida after she allegedly travelled to the US to be killed by a man she met on a fetish website.
The 32-year-old, from Portsmouth, Hampshire, died from stab wounds to the torso, with four wounds ranging from four to six inches deep, according to the Marion County Medical Examiner's report. Her death was ruled a homicide.
Sonia's body was discovered in Marion County, Florida, days after she arrived in the US on October 10 and met Dwain Hall, 53. Investigators believe she suffered from mental health issues and planned to travel to the US with the intention of being violently killed.
The autopsy noted that Sonia was covered in sandy dirt and her skin was discoloured due to tissue breakdown. A toxicology report found cannabinoids in her system and a blood alcohol concentration of 0.064.
Hall has been charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping. His attorney, Julia Williamson, has entered a not guilty plea and expressed condolences to the family.
